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Cumberland Farms employee Meagan serves up some samples to Al Baines, president of Crispin's House Board of Directors.
Cumberland Farms employee Meagan serves up some samples to Al Baines, president of Crispin’s House Board of Directors.
Kathy Remillard (KATHY REMILLARD PHOTO)

Grand opening

Goffstown Cumberland Farms store opens, helps charity

BY KATHY REMILLARDUnion Leader Correspondent

GOFFSTOWN — It wasn't your typical grand opening at Cumberland Farms on Mast Road Tuesday, as the store and gas station joined forces with nonprofit youth organization Crispin's House for a grand opening fundraiser.

From now until Aug. 27, Cumberland Farms will donate 20 cents from the sale of each coffee, iced coffee and tea, as well as its "Chill Zone" beverages to Crispin's House to support drug, alcohol and suicide-prevention programs.

"We have had a hard time with funding due to large cuts in funding to prevention programs by the state two years ago," said Kristie Garrison, executive director of Crispin's House.

While similar programs have been forced to shut down, Garrison said the dedication of Crispin's House's board of directors has kept it going, in part by finding other funding sources.

Bob Jenness, region manager for Cumberland Farms, said the company is looking to return to the company's roots of family values and traditions.

Previously, customers stopping for gas would come in and buy cigarettes, but Jenness said as tobacco sales decrease, the focus has moved toward providing fresh food, coffee and other beverages.

"We really like the concept of one-stop shopping," said area manager Cindy Gagnon.

Jenness said that while the company often makes large donations to national organizations, supporting smaller, not-for-profits such as Crispin's House is also a priority.

"This is something we can do in our local network," he said.

The minimum donation from Cumberland Farms for Crispin's House will be $1,000 and will increase based on what local customers buy.

"It's really hard to tell what this will bring in, because it depends on what's sold," Garrison said, "but this will definitely help us serve more youth."

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